Journal Article

Complications Associated with Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections

Ng, Andrew T., Chang, Andrew

2020

Overview

Purpose of Review Low back pain with radicular symptoms is a common cause of disability in the adult population in the USA. Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is one of the most frequently used intervention for lumbar radiculitis. The purpose of this review is to evaluate complications associated with lumbar TFESI. Recent Findings Based on the literature review, the reported rate of minor complications was between 2.4 and 9.6%. The major complications including spinal abscess, spinal cord infarct, and epidural hematoma were documented as case reports. Some patients with spinal cord infarct had permanent neurologic deficits, while the other patients had recovery of neurological function after surgical or medical intervention. Summary This review identifies both the minor and major complications related to lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections. According to this review, most complications are minor. Lumbar TFESI can be considered a safe treatment in the management of lumbar radicular pain. However, pain specialists should be aware of the potentially devastating major complications. Early recognition and treatment of complications are crucial for improving the outcome.

• Publisher: Springer US
• Subject: Anesthetic Techniques in Pain Management (D Wang / Internal Medicine / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Pain Medicine / Section Editor / Topical Collection on Anesthetic Techniques in Pain Management